Pinoy guide to happy living in Japan

News Detail

2017.06.06

Legazpi City villagers plant mangroves on World Environment Day

Children and students joined their elders in a mangrove planting activity in Barangay Puro, Legazpi City, an activity spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Bicol to celebrate World Environment Day, Monday.

Crisanta Marlene P. Rodriguez, DENR-Bicol officer-in-charge/director, in an interview today, said she is heartened by the participation of the children in the activity which kicks off the celebration of June as Environment Month.

“We also want to show to the elders in the community that the mangroves that were planted will also be for the benefit of their children,” she said.

Rodriguez said Puro, a village in the southern part of Legazpi City, was chosen as it is “vulnerable” because of its location across the sea.

She said village officials and residents had also “shown commitment” in efforts to help protect the environment and mitigate the effects of climate change.

“The activity added to the learnings of the barangay officials, residents and youth on climate change and disaster preparedness,” said Nick Barrios, village chief of Puro, in a separate interview.

Rodriguez added that as part of Environment Month, DENR-Bicol will also hold its “5th Biodiversity Challenge” on June 9.

“The challenge is a timed-race that involves mental and physical challenges in various outdoor activities such as running, swimming, boat race and fishing,” she said.

Rodriguez said the challenge will start in Sumlang Lake in Camalig, Albay and end at the Ayala Malls in this city. Sumlang Lake is a wetland that has become a fast-rising tourist-drawer in Camalig town.

Ancie L. Lawenko, DENR-Bicol public information officer, in an interview today, said they expect 25 teams across the region to join the biodiversity challenge.

“They will come from different national government agencies, military personnel, people’s organizations and non-government organizations,” she said.

She added that the competing groups would be strictly composed of two males and female per team, must be between 18 to 50 years old and certified as physically fit.

Rodriguez noted that the Environment Month activities seek to spread awareness on environmental consciousness not only among participants to the events but also to communities serving as venue.